Eighth Croatian Construction Forum

The 8th scientific and professional gathering called the “Croatian Construction Forum”, organised by the Croatian Association of Civil Engineers, is held today in Zagreb. The gathering takes place at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, and it is envisaged as an opportunity for key stakeholders from the construction sector to meet and discuss.

The Forum was attended by Dominik Skokandić, a Special Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction Branko Bačić. Along with other esteemed guests, introductory speeches were also given by President of the Croatian Association of Civil Engineers Mirna Amadori, President of the Croatian Engineering Association Luka Jelić, President of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers Nina Dražin Lovrec and Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Domagoj Damjanović.

The gathering is envisaged as an opportunity for key stakeholders from the construction sector to meet and discuss current problems and possible solutions. Apart from analysing the challenges, the focus was also on presenting enabling and sustainable projects and new investments.

“Construction is historically related to identity and development of these areas, and the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets has a permanent role of encouraging construction, and especially excellence in construction, as well as of preserving and enriching the space we treasure for future generations,” Skokandić said in his introductory speech.

He pointed out that exchanging the latest research, experience and professional insights represents the foundation of improving the application of knowledge, because construction is one of the key bearers of economic, infrastructural and social development.

Accordingly, today’s gathering will feature lectures on topics such as zero-emission buildings, construction of new tramway tracks in Zagreb, revitalisation of industrial heritage and analysis of reconstruction and modernisation of faculty buildings in Zagreb following the earthquake.

Skokandić also recalled that the Ministry, for the purpose of establishing clear rules in the sector of construction, developing and updating land records and ensuring coverage by spatial-planning documentation, has developed three new acts: the Physical Planning Act, the Building Act and the Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction.

“The three acts present a reform package in line with the Government’s programme, which will establish a modern, completely digitalised and sustainable management system of physical planning and construction, focused on space preservation, affordable housing and energy self-sufficiency of Croatia,” he clarified.

He also added that the Ministry has a long-lasting and successful cooperation with the construction profession through expert committees, working groups and international initiatives that take part in forming the acts proposed by the Ministry.

Academic community as an inevitable factor of further profession development

As in previous years, with the aim of promoting education in the field of construction and highlighting its importance in society, the Croatian Association of Civil Engineers organised an award ceremony for the best graduate thesis necessary to acquire the title univ. mag. ing. aedif., as well as the award for the best doctoral thesis in the field of technical science - scientific field of construction and fundamental technical sciences.

Moreover, the Croatian Associaation of Civil Engineers and the GRAĐEVINAR journal will award a special prize for scientific excellence - a recognition to authors of the best scientific articles published during 2022 and 2023 in the GRAĐEVINAR journal. These are papers which contributed to increasing the journal’s impact factor, which was 1.1 for 2024.

As part of the gathering, a lecture called “Financing Energy Renovation in Croatia” was given by Head of Sector for European Union Energy Renovation Projects of Public and Multi-Apartment Buildings Olja Milošević. She pointed out that the European Union developed an ambitious plan for green and sustainable Europe, while the Government of the Republic of Croatia defined its strategic framework and the vision to accomplish these goals. The new Act on Energy Efficiency in Building Construction directly follows the European and national guidelines.

The plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 represents one of the key priorities in creating a healthy and sustainable environment. The goal of the European Union by 2050 is to achieve climate neutrality, which entails balance between carbon emissions and its absorption from the atmosphere.

Through the lectures, expert discussions and knowledge exchange, the Croatian Construction Forum once again proved to be an excellent opportunity for emphasising the importance of construction in further developing Croatian economy, presenting interesting engineering solutions and encouraging investment and further advancement of the construction sector in Croatia.

The programme of the 8th Croatian Construction Forum is available HERE.

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